Fuel leak?

uncltodd · #1 (**permalink**) 10-17-2007, 10:55 AM

Took #139 for a spin yesterday, ran up on some rough highway under construction.

Opened the garage door this AM and the gas fumes nearly knocked me down.

No obvious puddles or drips on the concrete.

I will ease her to my service station tomorrow and get her up on the rack and start looking.

Should we start at the fuel tank and move forward? Any particular joints or fittings that could loosen from vibration? I am not that familiar with the car's underside and plumbing.

Hey, I just fly 'em, I don't fix 'em anymore. Less than 5K miles on some ROUGH Oklahoma highways.

Thank you, my friends.

wtm442 · #2 (**permalink**) 10-17-2007, 11:38 AM

Did you happen to get gas before you put it in the garage?

My SPF does not like to be filled to the brim. If I do fill it just before coming home, some gas weeps out the vent onto the garage floor and evaporates. Terrible gas smell.

First thing to check is for any leaks at ALL of the fittings. Make sure you run the car for a minute while on the lift (ground) before elevating it to take a look.

uncltodd · #3 (**permalink**) 10-17-2007, 12:55 PM

Warren, didn't think about that, thank you!

Yeah we topped her off, but UT was not at the nozzle.

My Main Man topped it off, maybe he didn't realize that the fill on a BDR is a vertical tube.

He's only 22, he's never even seen a rotary-dial telephone.

Thanks, Warren.

UT

wtm442 · #4 (**permalink**) 10-17-2007, 01:25 PM

You are welcome. I'm glad my misfortunes helped save you some time under the Cobra. Spend the time on the top side .... I think I'll go for a ride! It's up to 66°F and the sun came out finally!

I'll probably need to get some gas ... but that is the first thing I do when I go for a ride. That way I'll use some of the gas, especially since all gas gauges in SPF's are waaaaaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyy off base.

Rick Parker · #5 (**permalink**) 10-17-2007, 01:39 PM

UT you got a Rotary dial phone in the Cobra? Very cool.
Is it attached to a "Party Line"?

uncltodd · #6 (**permalink**) 10-17-2007, 01:40 PM

Warren- gas gauges?

They are a cruel joke, like speedo's, according to local LE radar!!!

Run in the Sun, my Cobra Brudda!

I'm staring at a gas leak and T-storms.

Maybe tomorrow.

UT

Blittleton · #7 (**permalink**) 10-17-2007, 02:37 PM

Any adjustments on the ol Carb? I found that if the floats are not right it will leak into the carb horn and smell something fierce!!!

Bill

uncltodd · #8 (**permalink**) 10-17-2007, 03:33 PM

Bill, nothing that simple, Brudda. I haven't dicked with the carb in over a year.

Wheel her out, go, gas her up, go again against the Highway from Hell.

I still think it's a loose... something... that couldn't take the beating I gave it.

You know I'll report back, thank you for the input!

UT

wtm442 · #9 (**permalink**) 10-17-2007, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by uncltodd

Warren- gas gauges?
They are a cruel joke, like speedo's, according to local LE radar!!!
UT

You got that right. I've only run out of gas once so far. But definitely need the tack. Saw 5800 RPM in third this afternoon. Yahoo ... nice sounds on a crisp fall day.

I checked my speedo at 130 MPH when on the dyno and they were within 1 MPH. GPS at 90 MPH was also within 1 MPH of my SPF speedo. Amazed that it is that accurate for a Smith gauge.

paulmcconnon · #10 (**permalink**) 10-18-2007, 03:49 PM

The first was just a very slow drip at the front of the fuel tank. There is a bolt near the bottom of the tank facing the front of the car, it seemed to be in tight enough however it allowed a drip. I removed the bolt ( after using up most of the gas) put some teflon tape on the threads, replaced and voila!!
The second leak was a biggie. The filler neck has a piece of rubber hose that connects at the bottom of the tank with a hose clamp. The hose clamp loosend enough to allow the gas to come out at the connection. I loosened the clamp, pushed the hose tightly to the bottom of the tank and re= tightend the clamp and all was well.
I did notice on the first leak that if you look at the bottom of the tank there will be no doubt in your mind exactly where the leak is coming from.
Paul
P.S. Why do my neighbors always yell " SLOW DOWN!!" when I drive by??

Slick61 · #11 (**permalink**) 10-18-2007, 05:02 PM

I'd start with the fuel lines at the carb, then check the valleys in between the intake runners (for puddles) & work back from there.

... but I never do things logically.

when mine was running really rich, I had the same issue with strong gas fumes in the garage. Have also been battling fuel leaks at the carb & fuel hoses after a dyno session.

Speedysnake · #12 (**permalink**) 10-19-2007, 07:13 AM

Slick,

I had several small leaks on my Holley after a dyno session. We replaced every gasket & O-ring & solved those problems. I also had some issues with the fuel tank & hoses at the rear of the car. Everything seems OK now.

Uncltodd - find the leak yet??